This Report of Injury Assessment and Injury Determination presents a comprehensive evaluation of injuries to natural resources in the Coeur d’Alene River basin resulting from releases of mining-related hazardous substances. Natural resources of the Coeur d’Alene River basin that were assessed for injury include surface water; groundwater; bed, bank, and shoreline sediments; riparian and floodplain soils; aquatic biota, including both fish and aquatic invertebrates; wildlife, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians; and vegetation. The area assessed for natural resource injuries includes the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River basin, tributary drainages to the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River in which mining and milling has occurred, the mainstem Coeur d’Alene River and lateral lakes and wetlands that border the lower river, and Coeur d’Alene Lake from the area near Conkling Point to the lake’s outlet at the Spokane River.

The purpose of this report was to scientifically determine the level of injury to the natural resources as a result of mine-waste contamination. It became a foundational document that was utilized by the Trustees throughout litigation and negotiations with mining companies. In preparation of writing the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement/Restoration Plan, the Restoration Partnership will rely on a wide range of environmental data that provides the most contemporary understanding of current conditions. This information may include, but is not limited to: the Report of Injury Assessment and Injury Determination, recent data collected by land management agencies and governments as part of their monitoring programs, and special studies.

 

  • Front Material (PDF)
  • Executive Summary (PDF)
  • Chapter 1: Introduction (PDF)
  • Chapter 2: Hazardous Substance Sources (PDF)
  • Chapter 3: Transport and Exposure Pathways (PDF)
  • Chapter 4: Surface Water Resources (PDF)
  • Chapter 5: Sediment Resources (PDF)
  • Chapter 6: Wildlife Resources (PDF)
  • Chapter 7: Fish Resources (PDF)
  • Chapter 8: Benthic Macroinvertebrates (PDF)
  • Chapter 9: Riparian Resources (PDF)
  • Chapter 9 Appendix A - Part 1 (PDF)
  • Chapter 9 Appendix A - Part 2 (PDF)
  • Chapter 9 Appendix A - Part 3 (PDF)
  • Chapter 9 Appendix A - Part 4 (PDF)
  • Chapter 9 Appendix A - Part 5 (PDF)
  • Chapter 9 Appendix A - Part 6 (PDF)
  • Chapter 9 Appendix B - Test Data (PDF)
  • Chapter 10: Injury Quantification (PDF)
  • Chapter 10: Appendix A (PDF)
  • 2000 Injury Determination Report in Full (27 MB)
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    Activities and Uses Basin Assessment Waterfowl Fish Water Quality Vegetation Wildlife